Follow-up of elderly gastric cancer post-radical surgery: Trauma, complications, and prognosis.

Abstract

Background: The incidence of gastric cancer in the elderly is increasing; however, standardized surgical approaches are lacking.

Aim: To investigate the effects of radical surgery on the trauma response, postoperative complications, and long-term prognosis in elderly patients with gastric cancer.

Methods: Between January 2020 and December 2023, 110 gastric cancer patients admitted to the Department of Oncology Jiangnan University Medical Center were categorized into a control group (40 cases) and an observation group (70 cases) based on surgical method differences. The control and observation group received palliative surgery and radical surgery, respectively, and were further divided into open (25 cases) and laparoscopic (45 cases) surgery. Surgical outcomes, trauma indicators, complication rates, and long-term survival at 6 months, 1-, and 2-years were compared.

Results: Laparoscopic surgery showed superior surgical outcomes compared to the open surgery and control groups (P < 0.05). Trauma indicators were lowest in the laparoscopic group and highest in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the complication rates between the open and laparoscopic groups (P > 0.05), but both were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in survival rates at different follow-up periods between the laparoscopic and open groups (P > 0.05); however, both groups showed higher survival rates than the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Radical surgery in elderly patients with gastric cancer reduces surgical trauma response, facilitates postoperative recovery, and improves long-term survival rates, albeit with an increased risk of complications. Laparoscopic radical surgery further minimizes postoperative trauma, with no significant difference in complication rates and survival prognosis compared with open radical surgery.